Don’t consider hanging out with friends a luxury, advise the editors of alive magazine — friends give us emotional support, and can help us blow off a little steam.

There’s something about being able to greet the day with a yawn, pull on your favourite jeans and a comfy old T-shirt, and let your instincts carry you through the day … but then you remember — work.

Many of us can’t remember the last time we took a day to just chill out, hang with our friends, or be utterly aimless. If we missed a day of work, chances are it was because we were sick and sofa-bound, or had to take our dog to the vet. Big fun!

Let’s face it — our own enjoyment and our relationships with friends are the first thing to get crossed off the list when we’re busy with the other “life-sized stuff” such as family and work. How can anyone expect us to be productive members of society if we don’t blow off a little steam once in while?

Emotional support

Often, people turn to their partners for emotional support and entertainment. But asking one person to satisfy every one of your emotional needs is unrealistic — and more than a little unreasonable.

When your only truly close relationship is with one person, you run the risk of stagnation, resentment and just plain boredom. Wouldn’t it be better to have some new people to listen to your hilarious story about that guy on the bus? That’s when you need your friends.

Time for fun

Having trouble remembering what friends are? Friends are the people we used to spend all our time with as kids. They were the people of recess, of twilight road hockey games, of preteen makeover slumber parties. They were the people with whom we lost track of time, the people who defended us against our enemies, who lent us their math homework and to whom, in return, we lent our favourite yellow shirt (which they promptly spilled ketchup on), but who we loved anyway.

Why not make a goal to reconnect with at least one friend this month? Maybe it’s someone you haven’t seen in 10 years, and you’ll spend an entire night catching up on the phone. Maybe it’s a new friend you’ve been meaning to get to know. Old friends, new friends — they’re all good for your soul.

Visitalive.comfor more health and wellness information. Get inspired. Get alive!

make your own lip balm

Here are tips on making your own lip balm, from the editors of alive magazine — Canada’s natural health and wellness magazine: